Philadelphia man was indicted yesterday in connection with the one-vehicle crash last year on the Atlantic City Expressway in Egg Harbor Township that killed his passenger, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced.
Yesterday, April 19, 2016, an Atlantic County Grand Jury indicted Rashad E. Caswell, 28, of the 600 block of Mays Place, Philadelphia, PA, of Aggravated Manslaughter for recklessly causing a death under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life—a crime of the 1st degree, and for causing death while driving while suspended or unlicensed—a 3rd degree crime.
On February 28, 2015 at 10:08 p.m., New Jersey State Police and emergency medical services personnel responded to a one-car motor vehicle accident near milepost 7.5 on the eastbound side of the Atlantic City Expressway, in Egg Harbor Township. Upon arrival State Police found a white 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix off the highway in the wooded area at the base of a steep embankment, the passenger-side of the car impacted with a tree.
The vehicle was occupied by two persons at the time of police arrival: the driver, Rashad E. Caswell, and the front-seat passenger and registered owner, Cierra J. Goodman, 27, of Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania.
State Troopers extracted the critically-injured Goodman from the vehicle and administered life-saving resuscitation measures to her without success. Goodman was later pronounced dead at the scene by Dr. Dombchewsky of AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center—City Campus. Caswell was transported to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center—City Campus for treatment of injuries.
A joint investigation by the New Jersey State Police Fatal Accident Investigation Unit and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office resulted in County Prosecutor Jim McClain’s authorization for the preparation of the charge against Caswell on December 18, 2015 of Aggravated Manslaughter—a 1st degree crime.
The complaint warrant was issued by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Patricia M. Wild, who set bail on Caswell at $200,000, cash or bond.
Caswell was subsequently arrested in Pennsylvania on an unrelated matter, and remains in custody there, subject to a detainer that ensures that he is returned to Atlantic County to face these pending charges.